Battery-powered control device including a rotating portion

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/245,027, filed Jan. 10, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/789,666, filed on Oct. 20, 2017, which is nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,219,359, issued on Feb. 26, 2019, which claims thebenefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/485,612, filedApr. 14, 2017, and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/411,359,filed Oct. 21, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Battery-powered remote controls are used throughout the home and officeto control one or more remote loads, such as lighting loads, motorizedwindow treatments, small electronic devices, and the like. Thebattery-powered remote control may be handheld or mounted to a wall ortabletop stand. The battery-powered remote control may perform multipletasks that drain the battery of the device, such as wirelesslycommunicate data to the load for controlling the load, storesettings/conditions of the load, provide feedback (e.g., visual and/orauditory) to a user regarding the state of the load, etc. As thesebattery-powered remote controls provide additional features andfunctionality, the battery life becomes a limiting factor. Moreover,many battery-powered remote controls continue to shrink in size, whichlimits the size of the battery and in turn, the overall battery life ofthe control. Accordingly, the reduction in size and increasedfunctionality places additional strain on the battery life of thesebattery-powered remote controls.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are examples of techniques and features that may beimplemented in a remote control device. Some examples of these remotecontrol devices provide a retrofit solution for an existing switchedcontrol system, although the concepts described herein may be applicableto remote control devices that are not used as part of a retrofitsolution for an existing switched control system. Implementation of theremote control device may enable energy savings and/or advanced controlfeatures. For example, remote control devices that provide a retrofitsolution for an existing switched control system may enable energysavings and/or advanced control features without requiring anyelectrical re-wiring and/or without requiring the replacement of anyexisting mechanical switches. The remote control device may beconfigured to associate with, and control, a load control device of aload control system, without requiring access to the electrical wiringof the load control system. An electrical load may be electricallyconnected to the load control device such that the remote control devicemay control an amount of power delivered to the electrical load via theload control device.

As described herein, a control device may include a sensing circuit, aprocessing circuit (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), and awake-up logic circuit. The sensing circuit may be configured to generatea sensing signal, which for example, may be changing or in a steadystate condition. The processing circuit may be configured to enter asleep state when the sensing signal is in a steady state condition, forexample, when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The wake-uplogic circuit configured to generate and pulse-width modulate (PWM) anenable control signal when the processing circuit is in the sleep stateto periodically enable and disable the sensing circuit. The wake-uplogic circuit may also be configured to receive the sensing signal fromthe sensing circuit, determine that a magnitude of the sensing signalhas changed, and, upon determining that the magnitude of the sensingsignal has changed, generate a wake-up signal for causing the processingcircuit to change from the sleep state to an active state.

The control device may comprise a rotatable portion, a one or moremagnetic elements (e.g., a magnetic ring) coupled to the rotatableportion, and one or more sensing circuits (e.g., a first and secondHall-effect sensor circuits) that are configured to generate respectivefirst and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fieldsgenerated by the magnetic elements. The control device may also comprisea control circuit configured to determine an angular speed and/or anangular direction of the rotatable portion in response to the first andsecond sensor control signals generated by the first and secondHall-effect sensor circuits, respectively. The control device mayoperate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated,and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not beingrotated. The control circuit may be configured to disable the secondHall-effect sensor circuit when the control device is operating in thereduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of therotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in thereduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit inresponse to detecting movement of the rotatable portion. The controlcircuit may determine the angular speed and/or the angular direction ofthe rotatable portion in response to the first and second sensor controlsignals while the rotatable portion is being rotated during the normalmode.

The control device may comprise a battery for producing a batteryvoltage. The control circuit may have a power supply for generating aregulated supply voltage and an analog-to-digital converter referencedto the battery voltage. The control circuit may store a magnitude of theregulated supply voltage. The regulated supply voltage may be providedto an input of the analog-to-digital converter. The control circuit maysample the magnitude of the regulated supply voltage at the input of theanalog-to-digital converter to generate a measured voltage. The controlcircuit may calculate the magnitude of the battery voltage using themagnitude of the measured voltage and the stored magnitude of theregulated supply voltage.

The control device may comprise a wireless communication circuit poweredfrom the battery and configured to transmit wireless signals, and atleast one LED also powered from the battery. The control circuit may beconfigured to control the wireless communication circuit to transmit thewireless signals and to control the at least one LED to illuminate theat least one LED in different segments of time within a repeatable timeperiod.

The control circuit is configured to detect a persistent actuation of anactuator of the remote control device (e.g., a continuous rotation ofthe rotatable portion) after a maximum usage period of persistentadjustment of the first control signal. The control circuit isconfigured to continue transmitting the wireless signals, but stopilluminating the light bar in response detecting the persistentactuation of the actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an example load control system thatincludes an example retrofit remote control device.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an example retrofit remote controldevice (e.g., a rotary remote control device)

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the example retrofit remotecontrol device illustrated in FIG. 2, with a control module of theremote control device removed from a mounting assembly thereof.

FIG. 4A is a front exploded view of the control module illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a front exploded view of the control module illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example remote controldevice.

FIG. 6A depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encodercontrol signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuatedalong a first direction.

FIG. 6B depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encodercontrol signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuatedalong a second direction.

FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure thatmay be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device.

FIG. 8 is a simplified flowchart of an example usage detection procedurethat may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example timing procedure that may be executedby a control circuit of a remote control device.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of another example remote controldevice.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of an example wake-up logiccircuit.

FIG. 12 shows example waveforms illustrating the operation of thewake-up enable circuit of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an example wake-up procedure that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a remote control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more standard mechanical toggle switches may be replaced by moreadvanced load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches). Such a loadcontrol device may operate to control an amount of power delivered froman alternative current (AC) power source to an electrical load. Theprocedure of replacing a standard mechanical toggle switch with a loadcontrol device typically requires disconnecting electrical wiring,removing the mechanical toggle switch from an electrical wallbox,installing the load control device into the wallbox, and reconnectingthe electrical wiring to the load control device. Often, such aprocedure is performed by an electrical contractor or other skilledinstaller. Average consumers may not feel comfortable undertaking theelectrical wiring that is necessary to complete installation of a loadcontrol device. Accordingly, there is a need for a load control systemthat may be installed into an existing electrical system that has amechanical toggle switch, without requiring any electrical wiring work.

FIG. 1 depicts an example load control system 100. As shown, the loadcontrol system 100 is configured as a lighting control system thatincludes a load control device, such as a controllable light source 110,and a remote control device 120, such as a battery-powered rotary remotecontrol device. The remote control device 120 may include a wirelesstransmitter. The load control system 100 may include a standard, singlepole single throw (SPST) maintained mechanical switch 104 (e.g., a“toggle switch” or a “light switch”) that may be in place prior toinstallation of the remote control device 120. For example, the switch104 may be pre-existing in the load control system 100 prior to theinstallation of the remote control device 120. The switch 104 may beelectrically coupled in series between an alternating current (AC) powersource 102 and the controllable light source 110. The switch 104 mayinclude a toggle actuator 106 that may be actuated to toggle, forexample to turn on and/or turn off, the controllable light source 110.The controllable light source 110 may be electrically coupled to the ACpower source 102 when the switch 104 is closed (e.g., conductive), andmay be disconnected from the AC power source 102 when the switch 104 isopen (e.g., nonconductive).

The remote control device 120 may be operable to transmit wirelesssignals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals 108, to thecontrollable light source 110 for controlling the intensity of thecontrollable light source 110. The controllable light source 110 may beassociated with the remote control device 120 during a configurationprocedure of the load control system 100, such that the controllablelight source 110 is then responsive to the RF signals 108 transmitted bythe remote control device 120. An example of a configuration procedurefor associating a remote control device with a load control device isdescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-FrequencyLighting Control System,” the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The controllable light source 110 may include an internal lighting load(not shown), such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) lightengine, a compact fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogenlamp, or other suitable light source. The controllable light source 110includes a housing 112 that defines an end portion 114 through whichlight emitted from the lighting load may shine. The controllable lightsource 110 may include an enclosure 115 that is configured to house oneor more electrical components of the controllable light source 110, suchas an integral load control circuit (not shown), for controlling theintensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately 100%).The controllable light source 110 may include a wireless communicationcircuit (not shown) housed inside the enclosure 115, such that thecontrollable light source 110 may be operable to receive the RF signals108 transmitted by the remote control device 120 and control theintensity of the lighting load in response to the received RF signals.As shown, the enclosure 115 is attached to the housing 112.Alternatively, the enclosure 115 may be integral with, for examplemonolithic with, the housing 112, such that the enclosure 115 defines anenclosure portion of the housing 112. The controllable light source 110may include a screw-in base 116 that is configured to be screwed into astandard Edison socket, such that the controllable light source may becoupled to the AC power source 102. The controllable light source 110may be configured as a downlight (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) that may beinstalled in a recessed light fixture. The controllable light source 110is not limited to the illustrated screw-in base 116, and may include anysuitable base, for example a bayonet-style base or other suitable baseproviding electrical connections.

The load control system 100 may also include one or more other devicesconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the controllable light source110. As shown, the load control system 100 includes a handheld,battery-powered, remote control device 130 for controlling thecontrollable light source 110. The remote control device 130 may includeone or more buttons, for example, an on button 132, an off button 134, araise button 135, a lower button 136, and a preset button 138, as shownin FIG. 1. The remote control device 130 may include a wirelesscommunication circuit (not shown) for transmitting digital messages(e.g., including commands to control the lighting load) to thecontrollable light source 110, for example via the RF signals 108,responsive to actuations of one or more of the buttons 132, 134, 135,136, and 138. Alternatively, the remote control device 130 may bemounted to a wall or supported by a pedestal, for example a pedestalconfigured to be mounted on a tabletop. Examples of handheldbattery-powered remote controls are described in greater detail incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012,entitled “Wireless Battery Powered Remote Control Having MultipleMounting Means,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,573,208, issued Aug. 22, 1009,entitled “Method Of Programming A Lighting Preset From A Radio-FrequencyRemote Control,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference. Further, the load control system 100 may include withmultiple load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches) and/or a systemcontroller, and, for example, the remote control device 120 and/or theremote control device 130 may communicate with one or more load controldevices and/or with the system controller (e.g., directly with thesystem controller), and the system controller may communication with oneor more load control devices and/or controllable electrical loads.

The load control system 100 may also include one or more of a remoteoccupancy sensor or a remote vacancy sensor (not shown) for detectingoccupancy and/or vacancy conditions in a space surrounding the sensors.The occupancy or vacancy sensors may be configured to transmit digitalmessages to the controllable light source 110, for example via RFsignals (e.g., the RF signals 108), in response to detecting occupancyor vacancy conditions. Examples of RF load control systems havingoccupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,940,167, issued May 10, 2011, entitled“Battery Powered Occupancy Sensor,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug.30, 2011, entitled “Radio Frequency Lighting Control System WithOccupancy Sensing,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012,entitled “Method And Apparatus For Configuring A Wireless Sensor,” theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include a remote daylight sensor (notshown) for measuring a total light intensity in the space around thedaylight sensor. The daylight sensor may be configured to transmitdigital messages, such as a measured light intensity, to thecontrollable light source 110, for example via RF signal (e.g., the RFsignals 108), such that the controllable light source 110 is operable tocontrol the intensity of the lighting load in response to the measuredlight intensity. Examples of RF load control systems having daylightsensors are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitled “Wireless Battery-PoweredDaylight Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013,entitled “Method Of Calibrating A Daylight Sensor,” the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include other types of input devices,for example, radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, temperature sensors,humidity sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxidedetectors, air-quality sensors, security sensors, proximity sensors,fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, kinetic or solar-poweredremote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personaldigital assistants, personal computers, laptops, time clocks,audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (such aspower meters, energy meters, utility submeters, utility rate meters),central control transmitters, residential, commercial, or industrialcontrollers, or any combination of these input devices.

During the configuration procedure of the load control system 100, thecontrollable light source 110 may be associated with a wireless controldevice, for example the remote control device 120, by actuating anactuator on the controllable light source 110 and then actuating (e.g.,pressing and holding) an actuator on the wireless remote control device(e.g., the rotating portion 122 of the remote control device 120) for apredetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds). Althoughdescribed with reference to a rotating portion 122, it should beappreciated that the remote control device 120 may include anycombination and types of actuators configured to be response to userinput, for example, a capacitive touch surface (e.g., and associatedcapacitive touch sensors), a resistive touch surface (e.g., andassociated resistive touch sensors), a magnetic touch surface (e.g., andassociated magnetic sensors), a toggle actuator, etc. Further, therotating portion 122 may include one or more of the additional actuators(e.g., a capacitive touch surface on the front surface of the rotatingportion 122, the rotating portion 122 may actuate, and/or the like).

Digital messages transmitted by the remote control device 120, forexample directed to the controllable light source 110, may include acommand and identifying information, such as a unique identifier (e.g.,a serial number) associated with the remote control device 120. Afterbeing associated with the remote control device 120, the controllablelight source 110 may be responsive to messages containing the uniqueidentifier of the remote control device 120. The controllable lightsource 110 may be associated with one or more other wireless controldevices of the load control system 100, such as one or more of theremote control device 130, the occupancy sensor, the vacancy sensor,and/or the daylight sensor, for example using a similar associationprocess.

After a remote control device, for example the remote control device 120or the remote control device 130, is associated with the controllablelight source 110, the remote control device may be used to associate thecontrollable light source 110 with the occupancy sensor, the vacancysensor, and/or the daylight sensor, without actuating the actuator 118of the controllable light source 110, for example as described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2013/0222122, published Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Two Part LoadControl System Mountable To A Single Electrical Wallbox,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The remote control device 120 may be configured to be attached to thetoggle actuator 106 of the switch 104 when the toggle actuator 106 is inthe on position (e.g., typically pointing upwards) and the switch 104 isclosed and conductive. As shown, the remote control device 120 mayinclude a rotating portion 122 and a base portion 124. The base portion124 may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator 106 of theswitch 104. The rotating portion 122 may be supported by the baseportion 124 and may be rotatable about the base portion 124.

When the remote control device 120 is mounted over the toggle actuatorof a switch (e.g., the toggle actuator 106), the base portion 124 mayfunction to secure the toggle actuator 106 from being toggled. Forexample, the base portion 124 may be configured to maintain the toggleactuator 106 in an on position, such that a user of the remote controldevice 120 is not able to mistakenly switch the toggle actuator 106 tothe off position, which may disconnect the controllable light source 110from the AC power source 102, such that controllable light source 110may not be controlled by one or more remote control devices of the loadcontrol system 100 (e.g., the remote control devices 120 and/or 130),which may in turn cause user confusion.

As shown, the remote control device 120 is battery-powered, not wired inseries electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thecontrollable light source 110 (e.g., does not replace the mechanicalswitch 104), such that the controllable light source 110 receives a fullAC voltage waveform from the AC power source 102, and such that thecontrollable light source 110 does not receive a phase-control voltagethat may be created by a standard dimmer switch. Because thecontrollable light source 110 receives the full AC voltage waveform,multiple controllable light sources (e.g., controllable light sources110) may be coupled in parallel on a single electrical circuit (e.g.,coupled to the mechanical switch 104). The multiple controllable lightsources may include light sources of different types (e.g., incandescentlamps, fluorescent lamps, and/or LED light sources). The remote controldevice 120 may be configured to control one or more of the multiplecontrollable light sources, for example substantially in unison. Inaddition, if there are multiple controllable light sources coupled inparallel on a single circuit, each controllable light source may bezoned, for example to provide individual control of each controllablelight source. For example, a first controllable light 110 source may becontrolled by the remote control device 120, while a second controllablelight source 110 may be controlled by the remote control device 130). Inprior art systems, a mechanical switch (such as the switch 104, forexample) typically controls such multiple light sources in unison (e.g.,turns them on and/or off together).

The remote control device 120 may be part of a larger RF load controlsystem than that depicted in FIG. 1. Examples of RF load control systemsare described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued onMay 18, 1999, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Controlling AndDetermining The Status Of Electrical Devices From Remote Locations,” andcommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0206983,published Aug. 20, 2009, entitled “Communication Protocol For A RadioFrequency Load Control System,” the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

While the load control system 100 is described herein with reference tothe single-pole system shown in FIG. 1, one or both of the controllablelight source 110 and the remote control device 120 may be implemented ina “three-way” lighting system having two single-pole double-throw (SPDT)mechanical switches, which may be referred to as “three-way” switches,for controlling a single electrical load. To illustrate, an examplesystem may comprise two remote control devices 120, with one remotecontrol device 120 connected to the toggle actuator of each SPDT switch.In such a system, the toggle actuators of each SPDT switch may bepositioned such that the SPDT switches form a complete circuit betweenthe AC power source 102 and the electrical load 110 before the remotecontrol devices 120 are installed on the toggle actuators.

The load control system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may provide a simpleretrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The loadcontrol system 100 may provide energy savings and/or advanced controlfeatures, for example without requiring any electrical re-wiring and/orwithout requiring the replacement of any existing mechanical switches.To install and use the load control system 100 of FIG. 1, a consumer mayreplace an existing lamp with the controllable light source 110, switchthe toggle actuator 106 of the mechanical switch 104 to the on position,install (e.g., mount) the remote control device 120 onto the toggleactuator 106, and associate the remote control device 120 and thecontrollable light source 110 with each other, for example as describedabove.

It should be appreciated that the load control system 100 need notinclude the controllable light source 110. For example, in lieu of thecontrollable light source 110, the load control system 100 mayalternatively include a plug-in load control device for controlling anexternal lighting load. For example, the plug-in load control device maybe configured to be plugged into a receptacle of a standard electricaloutlet that is electrically connected to an AC power source. The plug-inload control device may have one or more receptacles to which one ormore plug-in electrical loads, such a table lamp or a floor lamp, may beplugged. The plug-in load control device may be configured to controlthe intensity of the lighting loads plugged into the receptacles of theplug-in load control device. It should further be appreciated that theremote control device 120 is not limited to being associated with, andcontrolling, a single load control device. For example, the remotecontrol device 120 may be configured to control multiple controllableload control devices, for example substantially in unison.

Examples of remote control devices configured to be mounted overexisting light switches are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117871,published May 4, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2015/0371534, published Dec. 24, 2015, both entitled “Battery-PoweredRetrofit Remote Control Device,” the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict an example remote control device 200 (e.g., abattery-powered rotary remote control device) that may be deployed, forexample, as the remote control device 120 of the load control system 100shown in FIG. 1. The remote control device 200 may be configured to bemounted over a toggle actuator 204 of a standard light switch 202 (e.g.,the toggle actuator 106 of the SPST maintained mechanical switch 104shown in FIG. 1). The remote control device 200 may be installed overthe toggle actuator 204 of an installed light switch 202 withoutremoving a faceplate 206 that is mounted to the light switch 202 (e.g.,via faceplate screws 208).

The remote control device 200 may include a mounting assembly 210 and acontrol module 220 that may be attached to the mounting assembly 210.The mounting assembly 210 may be more generally referred to as a baseportion of the remote control device 200. The control module 220 mayinclude a rotating portion that is rotatable with respect to themounting assembly 210. For example, as shown, the control module 220includes an annular rotating portion 222 that is configured to rotateabout the mounting assembly 210. The remote control device 200 may beconfigured such that the control module 220 and the mounting assembly210 are removeably attachable to one another. FIG. 3 depicts the remotecontrol device 200 with the control module 220 detached from themounting assembly 210.

The mounting assembly 210 may be configured to be fixedly attached tothe actuator of a mechanical switch, such as the toggle actuator 204 ofthe light switch 202, and may be configured to maintain the actuator inthe on position. For example, as shown the mounting assembly 210 mayinclude a base 211 that defines a toggle actuator opening 212 thatextends there through and that is configured to receive at least aportion of the toggle actuator 204. The mounting assembly 210 mayinclude a bar 212 that may be operably coupled to the base 211, and maybe configured to be moveable, for instance translatable, relative to thebase 211. The base 211 may be configured to carry a screw 214 that, whendriven in a first direction may case the bar 212 to be translatedrelative to the base 211 such that the bar 212 engages with the toggleactuator 204, thereby fixedly attaching the mounting assembly 210 inposition relative to the toggle actuator 204 of the light switch 202when the toggle actuator 204 is in the up position or the down position.With the mounting assembly 210 so fixed in position, the toggle actuator204 may be prevented from being switched to the off position. In thisregard, a user of the remote control device 200 may be unable toinadvertently switch the light switch 202 off when the remote controldevice 200 is mounted to the light switch 202.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to enable releasableattachment of the control unit 220 to the mounting assembly 210. Themounting assembly 210 may include one or more engagement features thatare configured to engage with complementary engagement features of thecontrol unit 220. For example, the base 211 of the mounting assembly 210may include resilient snap-fit connectors 216, and the control unit 220may define corresponding recesses 215 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A) thatare configured to receive the snap-fit connectors 216. The mountingassembly 210 may include a release mechanism that is operable to causethe control unit 220 to be released from an attached position relativeto the mounting assembly 210. As shown, the base 211 of the mountingassembly 210 may include a release tab 218 that may be actuated (e.g.,pushed up) to release the control unit 220 from the mounting assembly210. In another example, the release tab 218 may be pulled down torelease the control unit 220 from the mounting assembly 210.

The control module 220 may be attached to the mounting assembly 210without requiring the release tab 218 to be operated to the releaseposition. Stated differently, the control module 220 may be attached tothe mounting assembly when the release tab 218 is in the lockingposition. For example, the clips of the control module 220 may beconfigured to resiliently deflect around the locking members of therelease tab 218 and to snap into place behind rear edges of the lockingmembers, thereby securing the control module 220 to the mountingassembly 210 in an attached position. The control module 220 may bedetached from the mounting assembly 210 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), forinstance to access one or more batteries 230 (FIG. 4A) that may be usedto power the control module 220.

When the control module 220 is attached to the mounting assembly 210(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), the rotating portion 222 may be rotatable inopposed directions about the mounting assembly 210, for example in theclockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The mounting assembly 210 maybe configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator 204 of the lightswitch 202 such that the application of rotational movement to therotating portion 222 does not actuate the toggle actuator 204. Theremote control device 200 may be configured to be mounted to the toggleactuator 204 both when a “switched up” position of the toggle actuator204 corresponds to an on position of the light switch 202, and when a“switched down” position of the toggle actuator 204 corresponds to theon position of the light switch 202, while maintaining functionality ofthe remote control device 200.

The control module 220 may include an actuation portion 224, which maybe operated separately from or in concert with the rotating portion 222.As shown, the actuation portion 224 may include a circular surfacewithin an opening defined by the rotating portion 222. In an exampleimplementation, the actuation portion 224 may be configured to moveinward towards the light switch 202 to actuate a mechanical switch (notshown) inside the control module 220, for instance as described herein.The actuation portion 224 may be configured to return to an idle or restposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) after being actuated. In thisregard, the actuation portion 224 may be configured to operate as atoggle control of the control module 220.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to transmit one or morewireless communication signals (e.g., RF signals 108) to one or morecontrol devices (e.g., the control devices of the load control system100, such as the controllable light source 110). The remote controldevice 200 may include a wireless communication circuit, e.g., an RFtransceiver or transmitter (not shown), via which one or more wirelesscommunication signals may be sent and/or received. The control module220 may be configured to transmit digital messages (e.g., includingcommands) in response to operation of the rotating portion 222 and/orthe actuation portion 224. The digital messages may be transmitted toone or more devices associated with the remote control device 200, suchas the controllable light source 110. For example, the control module220 may be configured to transmit a command via one or more RF signals108 to raise the intensity of the controllable light source 110 inresponse to a clockwise rotation of the rotating portion 222, and acommand to lower the intensity of the controllable light source inresponse to a counterclockwise rotation of the rotating portion 222. Thecontrol module 220 may be configured to transmit a command to toggle thecontrollable light source 110 (e.g., from off to on or vice versa) inresponse to an actuation of the actuation portion 224. In addition, thecontrol module 220 may be configured to transmit a command to turn thecontrollable light source 110 on in response to an actuation of theactuation portion 224 (e.g., if the control module 220 knows that thecontrollable light source 110 is presently off). The control module 220may be configured to transmit a command to turn the controllable lightsource 110 off in response to an actuation of the actuation portion 224(e.g., if the control module 220 knows that the controllable lightsource 110 is presently on).

The control module 220 may include a visual indicator, e.g., a light bar226 located between the rotating portion 222 and the actuation portion224. For example, the light bar 226 may be define a full circle as shownin FIG. 2. The light bar 226 may be attached to or embedded within aperiphery of the actuation portion 224, and may move with the actuationportion 224 when the actuation portion 224 is actuated. The remotecontrol device 200 may provide feedback via the light bar 226, forinstance while the rotating portion 222 is being rotated and/or afterthe remote control device 200 is actuated (e.g., the rotating portion222 is rotated and/or the actuation portion 224 is actuated). Thefeedback may indicate, for example, that the remote control device 200is transmitting one or more RF signals 108. To illustrate, the light bar226 may be illuminated for a few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds) after theremote control device 200 is actuated, and then may be turned off (e.g.,to conserve battery life). The light bar 226 may be illuminated todifferent intensities, for example depending on whether the rotatingportion 222 is being rotated to raise or lower the intensity of thelighting load. The light bar 226 may be illuminated to provide feedbackof the actual intensity of a lighting load being controlled by theremote control device 200 (e.g., the controllable light source 110).

As described herein, the remote control device 200 may comprise abattery (e.g., such as the battery 230) for powering at least the remotecontrol device 200. The remote control device 200 may be configured todetect a low battery condition and provide an indication of thecondition such that a user may be alerted to replace the battery.

Multiple levels of low battery indications may be provided, for example,depending on the amount of power remaining in the battery. For instance,the remote control device 200 may be configured to provide two levels oflow battery indications. A first level of indication may be providedwhen remaining battery power falls below a first threshold (e.g.,reaching 20% of full capacity or 80% of battery life). The first levelof indication may be provided, for example, by illuminating and/orflashing a portion of the light bar 226 (e.g., a bottom portion of thelight bar 226). To distinguish from the illumination used as userfeedback and/or to attract a user's attention, the portion of the lightbar 226 used to provide the first level of low battery indication may beilluminated in a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specificpattern (e.g., flashing). The low battery indication may be provided viathe light bar 226 regardless of whether the light bar 226 is being usedto provide user feedback as described herein. For example, the lowbattery indication may be provided via the light bar 226 when the lightbar 226 is not being used to provide user feedback (e.g., when theactuation portion 224 is not actuated and/or when the rotating portion222 is not being rotated). The low battery indication may be providedwhen the light bar 226 is being used to provide user feedback. In such acase, the low battery indication may be distinguished from the userfeedback because, for example, the low battery indication is illuminatedin a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specific pattern (e.g.,flashing).

Additionally or alternatively, the first level of indication may beprovided, for example, by illuminating and/or flashing the bottomportion of the light bar 226, as well as the control module release tab218. The control module release tab 218, which may be used to remove thecontrol module 220 and obtain access to the battery, may be illuminated.The illumination may be generated by backlighting the control modulerelease tab 218. For example, the control module release tab 218 maycomprise a translucent (e.g., transparent, clear, and/or diffusive)material and may be illuminated by one or more light sources (e.g.,LEDs) located above and/or to the side of the control module release tab218 (e.g., inside the control module 220). The illumination may besteady or flashed (e.g., in a blinking manner) such that the low batterycondition may be called to a user's attention. Further, by illuminatingthe control module release tab 218, the mechanism for replacing thebattery may be highlighted for the user. The user may actuate thecontrol module release tab 218 (e.g., by pushing up towards the baseportion 210 or pulling down away from the base portion 210) to removethe control module 220 from the base portion 210. The user may thenremove and replace the battery.

A second level of low battery indication may be provided when theremaining battery power falls below a second threshold. The secondthreshold may be set to represent a more urgent situation. For example,the threshold may be set at 5% of full capacity or 95% of the batterylife. The second level of indication may be provided, for example, byilluminating and/or flashing one or both of the bottom portion of thelight bar 226 and the control module release tab 218. Since the batterymay be critically low when the second level of low battery indication isgenerated, the remote control device 200 may be configured to not onlyprovide the low battery indication but also take other measures toconserve battery power. For instance, the remote control device 200 maybe configured to stop providing user feedback via the light bar 226(e.g., to not illuminate the light bar).

FIG. 4A is a front exploded view and FIG. 4B is a rear exploded view ofthe control module 220 of the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2.The light bar 226 may be attached to the actuation portion 224 around aperiphery of the actuation portion 224. When the actuation portion 224is received within an opening 229 of the rotating portion 222, the lightbar 226 may be located between the actuation portion 224 and therotating portion 222.

The control module 220 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)assembly 240 having a PCB 242. The PCB assembly 240 may comprise acontrol circuit (not shown) mounted to the PCB 242. The PCB assembly 240may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 244 (e.g.,twelve white LEDs) arranged around the perimeter of the PCB 242 toilluminate the light bar 226. The PCB assembly 240 may include amechanical tactile switch 246 mounted to a center of the PCB 242. Thecontrol module 220 may further comprise a carrier 250 to which the PCB242 is connected. The PCB 242 may be attached to the carrier 250 viasnap-fit connectors 252. The carrier 250 may include a plurality of tabs254 arranged around a circumference of the carrier 250. The tabs 254 maybe configured to be received within corresponding channels 256 definedby the rotating portion 222, to thereby couple the rotating portion 222to the carrier 250 and allow for rotation of the rotating portion 222around the carrier 250. As shown, the carrier 250 may define therecesses 215. When the control unit 220 is connected to the mountingassembly, the snap-fit connectors 216 of the mounting assembly 210 maybe received in the recesses 215 of the carrier 250.

The carrier 250 and the PCB 242 may remain fixed in position relative tothe mounting assembly as the rotating portion 222 is rotated around thecarrier 250. The PCB 242 and the carrier 250 may further compriserespective openings 248, 258 that may be configured to receive at leasta portion of the toggle actuator 204 of the light switch 202 when thecontrol module 220 is mounted to the mounting assembly 210, such thatthe rotating portion 322 rotates about the toggle actuator 304 whenoperated.

The control unit 320 may include a battery retention strap 232 that maybe configured to hold the battery 230 in place between the batteryretention strap 232 and the PCB 242 of the control unit 220. The controlunit 220 may be configured such that the battery 230 is located in spacewithin the control unit 220 that is not occupied by a toggle actuator.When the PCB 242 is connected to the carrier 250, the battery 230 may belocated between the PCB 242 and the carrier 350 and may be electricallyconnected to the control circuit on the PCB 242. The battery retentionstrap 352 may be configured to operate as a first electrical contact forthe battery 230. A second electrical contact may be located on arear-facing surface of the PCB 242. When the control module 220 isremoved from the mounting assembly 210, the battery 230 may be removedfrom the control module through the opening 258 in the carrier 250.

When the actuation portion 224 is pressed, the actuation portion 224 maymove along the z-direction (e.g., towards the mounting assembly 210)until an inner surface of the actuation portion 224 actuates themechanical tactile switch 248. The control unit 220 may include aresilient return spring 260 that may be located between the actuationportion 224 and the PCB 242. The return spring 260 may be configured tobe attached to the PCB 242. The actuation portion 224 may define aprojection 262 that extends rearward from an inner surface of theactuation portion 224. When a force is applied to the actuation portion224 (e.g., when the actuation portion 224 is pressed by a user of theremote control device), the actuation portion 224, and thus the lightbar 226, may move in the z-direction until the projection 262 actuatesthe mechanical tactile switch 246. The return spring 260 may compressunder application of the force. When application of the force is ceased(e.g., the user no longer presses the actuation portion 224), the returnspring 260 may decompress, thereby to biasing the actuation portion 224forward such that the actuation portion 224 abuts a rim 274 of therotating portion 222. In this regard, the return spring 260 may operateto return the actuation portion 224 from an activated (e.g., pressed)position to a rest position.

The control module 220 may further comprise a rotational sensing system,e.g., a magnetic sensing system, such as a Hall-effect sensor system,for determining the rotational speed and direction of rotation of therotating portion 222. The Hall-effect sensor system may comprise one ormore magnetic elements, e.g., a circular magnetic element, such as amagnetic strip. One example of the magnetic strip is a magnetic ring270, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The magnetic ring 270 maybe located along (e.g., connected to) an inner surface 271 of therotating portion 222. The magnetic ring 270 may extend around thecircumference of the rotating portion 222. The magnetic ring 270 mayinclude a plurality of alternating positive north-pole sections 272(e.g., labeled with “N” in FIG. 4) and negative south-pole sections 274(e.g., labeled with “S” in FIG. 4). Alternatively, the control module220 may comprise a plurality of magnetic elements of alternatingposition and negative charge arranged on the inner surface 271 of therotating portion 222.

The rotational sensing system of the control unit 220 may include one ormore magnetic sensing circuits, such as Hall-effect sensing circuits.Each Hall-effect sensing circuit may comprise a Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 280A, 280B that may be mounted on the PCB 242 (e.g.,to a rear side of the PCB as shown in FIG. 4B). The magnetic strip 270may be configured to generate a magnetic field in a first direction(e.g., perpendicular to the z-direction, along the x-y plane), while theHall-effect sensor integrated circuits 280A, 280B may be responsive tomagnetic fields in a second direction (e.g., the z-direction) that isangularly offset from the first direction (e.g., offset by 90 degrees).For example, the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits 280A, 280B ofeach Hall-effect sensing circuit may be responsive to magnetic fieldsdirected in the z-direction (e.g., perpendicular to the plane of the PCB242). The Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits 284A, 284B may beoperable to detect passing of the positive and negative sections of themagnetic strip 280 as the rotating portion 222 is rotated about theattachment portion 262. The control circuit of the control unit 220 maybe configured to determine a rotational speed and/or direction ofrotation of the rotating portion 222 in response to the Hall-effectsensor integrated circuit 284A, 284B.

The magnetic strip 270 may generate magnetic fields in directionsperpendicular to the z-direction, e.g., in the x-y plane. Thus, eachHall-effect sensing circuit may further comprise one or more magneticflux pipe structures 282A, 284A, 282B, 284B for conducting and directingthe magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip 270 to direct themagnetic fields in the z-direction at the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 280A, 280B. Each Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 280A,280B may be located adjacent to one or more magnetic flux pipestructures 282A, 282B, 284A, 284B. Each magnetic flux pipe structure282A, 282B, 284A, 284B may be configured to conduct and directrespective magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip 270 towardcorresponding Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 280A, 280B. Forexample, the magnetic flux pipe structure 282A and 284A may beconfigured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated bythe magnetic strip 270 toward the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit280A, while the magnetic flux pipe structure 282B and 284B may beconfigured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated bythe magnetic strip 270 toward Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit280B.

As shown, the magnetic flux pipe structures 282A, 282B may be connectedto the carrier 250, and the magnetic flux pipe structures 284A, 284B maybe mounted to the PCB 242. However, any of the magnetic flux pipestructures 282A, 282B, 284A, 284B may be mounted to any other componentof the control unit 220. For example, the magnetic flux pipe structures282A, 282B may be mounted to (e.g., integral with) the battery retentionstrap 232. In such instances, the locations of the magnetic flux pipestructures 284A, 284B and the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit280A, 280B may moved accordingly.

The ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 282A,282B, 284A, 284B of each of the Hall-effect sensing circuits may bespaced apart by a distance θ_(N-S). When the ring coupling portions ofthe magnetic flux pipe structures 282A, 282B, 284A, 284B of one of theHall-effect sensing circuits are lined up with the centers of twoadjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip 270, thering coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 282A, 282B,284A, 284B of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be offset fromthe centers of two other adjacent positive and negative sections of themagnetic strip 270. For example, the ring coupling portions of the otherHall-effect sensing circuit may be offset by an offset distance θ_(OS)(e.g., one-half of the distance θ_(N-S)) from the centers of the twoother adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip 270.For example, the offset distance θ_(OS) may be such that when the ringcoupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 282A, 282B, 284A,284B of one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits are lined up with thecenters of two adjacent positive and negative sections of the magneticstrip 270, the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipestructures 282A, 282B, 284A, 284B of the other Hall-effect sensingcircuit may be lined up with a transition between a positive section anda negative section of the magnetic strip 270.

While the magnetic sensing circuits are shown and described herein asthe Hall-effect sensing circuits, the magnetic sensing circuits could beimplemented as any type of magnetic sensing circuit, such as, forexample, a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropicmagnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor,a reed switch, or other mechanical magnetic sensor. The output signalsof the magnetic sensing circuits may be analog or digital signals.Examples of remote control devices including rotational sensing systemshaving magnetic flux pipe structures are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/631,459, filedJun. 23, 2017, entitled “Magnetic Sensing System for a Rotary ControlDevice,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device300 that may be implemented as, for example, the remote control device120 shown in FIG. 1 and/or the remote control device 200 shown in FIG.2. As shown, the remote control device 300 includes a control circuit310. The control circuit 310 may include one or more of a processor(e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device(PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device. Thecontrol circuit 310 may comprise an internal power supply, e.g., aswitching power supply (not shown), for generating a regulated DC supplyvoltage V_(CC) (e.g., approximately 1.8V) for powering the controlcircuit and other low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device300. The supply voltage V_(CC) may be generated across a capacitor C311,which may be coupled between outputs V_(CC-OUT) and V_(CC-REF) of thecontrol circuit 310 as shown in FIG. 12.

The remote control device 300 may comprise a tactile switch 312 that maybe coupled to the control circuit 310. The tactile switch 312 may beactuated in response to actuations of the actuation portion 224 of thecontrol module 220. The tactile switch 312 may generate a toggle controlsignal V_(TOG) that may be representative of instances when theactuation portion 224 of the control module 220 is pushed towards themounting assembly 210, so as to toggle a controlled electrical load onand/or off.

The remote control device 300 may further comprise a rotational sensingcircuit 314 including one or more magnetic sensing circuits, forexample, a first Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit 316 and a secondHall-effect sensing (HES) circuit 318 as shown in FIG. 5. The first andsecond Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 may represent theHall-effect sensing circuits 280 described above. For example, each ofthe first and second Hall-effect sensing circuit 316, 318 may comprisesa Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 and two magnetic flux pipestructures 286, 288. The Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 may beconfigured to detect the magnetic fields generated by a circularmagnetic element (e.g., the magnetic ring 270) coupled to a rotary knob(e.g., the rotating portion 222 of the control module 220). The firstHall-effect sensing circuit 316 may generate a first HES output signalV_(HES1) and the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 318 may generate asecond HES output signal V_(HES2). The first and second HES outputsignals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) may, in combination, be representative of anangular velocity ω at which the rotating portion 222 is rotated and/oran angular direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) in which therotating portion 222 is rotated. The control circuit 310 may beconfigured to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angulardirection of the rotating portion 222 in response to the first andsecond HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2). If the remote controldevice 300 comprises a single magnetic sensing circuit (e.g., just thefirst Hall-effect sensing circuit 316), the control circuit 310 may beconfigured to determine the angular velocity ω of the rotating portion222 in response to the first HES output signal V_(HES1).

Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device 300 may includea single integrated circuit having two internal Hall-effect sensingcircuits. In addition, while the magnetic sensing circuits are shown asthe first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 in FIG. 5,the magnetic sensing circuits could be implemented as any type ofmagnetic sensing circuit, such as, for example, a tunnelingmagnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR)sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, a reed switch, or othermechanical magnetic sensor. Further, while the remote control device 300is illustrated as including magnetic sensing circuits, the remotecontrol device 300 may include non-magnetic sensing circuits, such as acapacitive touch sensing circuit, a resistive touch sensing circuit, anaccelerometer, etc., additionally or alternatively to the magneticsensing circuits. The output signals of the magnetic sensing circuits(e.g., the first and second HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2)) maybe analog or digital signals.

The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 (e.g., theHall-effect sensor integrated circuits of each of the first and secondHall-effect sensing circuits) may be configured to operate in ahigh-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318may sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring 270 at afirst sampling rate that causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316,318 to be very responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated bythe magnetic ring 270. When the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318are operating in the high-speed mode, the control circuit 310 may beconfigured to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angulardirection of the rotating portion 222. The first and second Hall-effectsensing circuits 316, 318 may also be configured to operate in alow-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits may samplethe magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring 270 at a secondsampling rate that is less than the first sampling rate during thehigh-speed mode, which causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits to beless responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by themagnetic ring 270 and the Hall-effect sensing circuits consume lesspower than in the high-speed mode. During the low-speed mode, thecontrol circuit 310 may, for example, be able to determine whether therotating portion 222 is being rotated.

The remote control device 300 may also include a wireless communicationcircuit 320, for example an RF transmitter coupled to an antenna, fortransmitting wireless signals, such as the RF signals 108, in responseto the control circuit 310 receiving the first and second HES outputsignals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) (e.g., based on rotations of the rotatingportion 222) and receiving the toggle control signal V_(TOG) (e.g.,based on actuations of the actuation portion 224). The control circuit310 may cause the wireless communication circuit 320 to transmit digitalmessages via one or more wireless signals to an associated load controldevice, for example the controllable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1.Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication circuit 320may include an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, an RF transceiverfor transmitting and receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) receiverfor receiving IR signals. The control circuit 310 may, responsive toreceiving one or more of the toggle control signal V_(TOG) and the firstand second HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2), cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 320 to transmit one or more signals, for exampleRF signals 108, to a controllable light source associated with therotary remote control device 300, for example the lighting load of thecontrollable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1.

The remote control device 300 may also include a battery 324 forproducing a battery voltage V_(BATT) that may be used to power one ormore of the control circuit 310, the rotational sensing circuit 314, thewireless communication circuit 320, and other low-voltage circuitry ofthe remote control device 300. The remote control device 300 may alsoinclude a memory 322 communicatively coupled to the control circuit 310.The memory 322 may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC)or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 310. The controlcircuit 310 may be configured to use the memory 322 for the storageand/or retrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., a serialnumber) of the remote control device 300 that may be included in thetransmitted RF signals.

The remote control device 300 may include one or more visual indicators,for example, one or more LEDs 326 (e.g., the LEDs 246 of the controlmodule 220 shown in FIG. 4), which are configured to provide feedback toa user of the remote control device 300. For example, the LEDs 326 maybe configured to illuminate the light bar 226. The LEDs 326 may beoperatively coupled to the control circuit 310. The control circuit 310may be configured to pulse-width modulate the LEDs 326 and may beconfigured to only illuminate a subset of the LEDs at a single time toreduce the peak current conducted through the battery 324. For example,the control circuit 310 may be configured to illuminate three LEDs at atime. The control circuit 310 may control the LEDs 326 to providefeedback indicating a status of the controllable light source 110, forexample if the controllable light source 110 is on, off, or a presentintensity of the controllable light source 110. The control circuit 310may be configured to illuminate the LEDs 326 to provide feedback whilethe rotating portion 222 is being rotated. After detecting the end of arotation of the rotating portion 222, the control circuit 310 may beconfigured to keep the LEDs 326 illuminated for a first predeterminedperiod of time (e.g., approximately 1 second) and then fade (e.g., dim)the LEDs to off over a second predetermined period of time (e.g.,approximately 1.5 seconds).

The remote control device 300 may comprise a converter circuit, e.g., aboost power supply 328, which may receive the supply voltage V_(CC) andgenerate a boosted DC voltage V_(BOOST). The boosted DC voltageV_(BOOST) may have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the supplyvoltage V_(CC) for driving the LEDs 326 (e.g., approximately 2.6-2.8volts). The boost power supply 328 may be configured to be enabled anddisabled such that the boost power supply 328 only generates the boostedvoltage V_(BOOST) when the LEDs 326 need to be illuminated (e.g., whenthe rotating portion 222 is being rotated or when the actuation portion224 is actuated). Additionally or alternatively, the converter circuitof the remote control device 300 may comprise an inverter circuit forgenerating a negative DC voltage V_(CC-NEG) (e.g., −1.8 volts) from thesupply voltage V_(CC), and the LEDs may be coupled between the supplyvoltage V_(CC) and the negative DC voltage V_(CC)-NEG.

FIG. 6A is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the firstHES output signal V_(HES1) and the second HES output signal V_(HES2)when the rotating portion 222 is being rotated in the clockwisedirection. The first HES output signal V_(HES1) may lag the second HESoutput signal V_(HES2) by an offset distance dos (e.g., one-half of thedistance d_(N-S)) when the rotating portion 222 is rotated clockwise.FIG. 6B is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the firstHES output signal V_(HES1) and the second HES output signal V_(HES2)when the rotating portion 222 is being rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection. The second HES output signal V_(HES2) may lag the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1) by the offset distance dos when the rotatingportion 222 is rotated counter-clockwise. The control circuit 310 may beconfigured to determine whether the second HES output signal V_(HES2) islow (e.g., at approximately circuit common) or high (e.g., atapproximately the battery voltage V_(BATT)) at the times of the fallingedges of the first HES output signal V_(HES1) (e.g., when the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1) transitions from high to low), in order todetermine whether the rotating portion 222 is being rotated clockwise orcounter-clockwise, respectively.

The lag between the first HES output signal V_(HES1) and the second HESoutput signal V_(HES2) may be based on the offset of the ring couplingportion of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 from the centers ofthe two other adjacent positive and negative sections of the magneticstrip. For example, the distance dos (e.g., one-half of the distanced_(N-S)) may be such that when the ring coupling portions 290 of themagnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 of one of the Hall-effect sensingcircuits 280 are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive andnegative sections 272, 274 of the magnetic strip 270, the ring couplingportions 290 of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be linedup with a transition between a positive section 272 and a negativesection 274 of the magnetic strip 270.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the down arrow may indicate a transition from apositive section 272 to a negative section 274 of the magnetic strip270. Further, an entire period as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is from onepole to the same pole, for example, from a positive section 272 of themagnetic strip 270 to a subsequent positive section 272 of the magneticstrip 270. The distance d_(N-S) may be a half period, from a positivepole to a negative pole, and the offset distance dos may be one-fourthof the period (e.g., 90 degrees).

The control circuit 310 may be configured to operate the remote controldevice 300 in a normal mode (e.g., an active mode) in response torotations of the rotating portion 222 and/or in response to actuationsof the actuation portion 224. In the normal mode, the control circuit310 may be configured to monitor the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316,318 to determine the angular velocity ω and the angular direction of therotating portion 222. In addition, the control circuit 310 may beconfigured to transmit digital messages via the wireless communicationcircuit 320 in the normal mode (e.g., while the rotating portion 222 isbeing rotated and/or in response to actuations of the actuation portion224). Further, the control circuit 310 may be configured to enable theboost power supply 328 and illuminate the LEDs 326 in the normal mode.

The control circuit 310 may be configured to operate the remote controldevice 300 in a reduced-power mode (e.g., an idle mode) when the whenthe rotating portion 222 and the actuation portion 224 are not beingactuated. When operating in the reduced-power mode, the remote controldevice 300 may consume less power than when operating in the normal modeto conserve battery life. For example, when in the reduced-power mode,the control circuit 310 may be configured to turn off the LEDs 326,disable the boost power supply 328, and/or change a processing unit(e.g., a CPU) of the control circuit 310 from an active state to a sleepstate. Further, the control circuit 310 may change the Hall-effectsensing circuits 316, 318 to the low-speed mode and/or disable one ofthe Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 when operating the remotecontrol device 300 in the reduced-power mode. Moreover, it should beappreciated that, in some examples, the processing unit of the controlcircuit 310 is in the active state when the remote control device 300 isoperating in the normal mode, but may be in the active state or in thesleep state when the remote control device 300 is operating in thereduced-power mode.

The lifetime of the battery 324 may be dependent upon the amount of timethat the control circuit 310 operates in the reduced-power mode ratherthan the normal mode. Since the rotating portion 222 and/or theactuation portion 224 may only be actuated a few times a day, thelifetime of the battery 724 may be significantly lengthened by havingthe control circuit 310 operate in the reduced-power mode when therotating portion 222 is idle. However, frequent actuations of therotating portion 222 and/or the actuation portion 224, particularly,persistent actuations within a short period of time, may reduce thelifetime of the battery 324. For example, persistent actuations maycomprise a continuous rotation (or a number of rotations within a shortperiod of time) of the rotating portion and/or a continuous orrepetitive actuation of the actuation portion 224 that cause the controlcircuit 310 to operate in the normal mode for long periods of time.

The control circuit 310 may generate a reduced power control signalV_(RP) for controlling the remote control device 300 between the normalmode and the reduced-power mode. For example, the control circuit 310may be configured to enter the normal mode by driving the reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP) high (e.g., towards the supply voltage V_(CC)) andto enter the reduced-power mode by driving the reduced power controlsignal V_(RP) low (e.g., towards circuit common). As shown in FIG. 12,the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 318 may be powered by the reducedpower control signal V_(RP) (e.g., through a pin on a processing deviceof the control circuit 310). The control circuit 310 may be configuredto enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 318 by driving thereduced power control signal V_(RP) high towards the supply voltageV_(CC), and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit by drivingthe reduced power control signal V_(RP) low towards circuit common. Thereduced power control signal V_(RP) may also be received at enable pinsof the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits of one or each of thefirst and second Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318. The controlcircuit 310 may change the Hall-effect sensing circuits 316, 318 betweenthe low-speed and high-speed modes using the reduced power controlsignal V_(RP). The control circuit 310 may also enable and disable theboost power supply 328 using the reduced power control signal V_(RP).Accordingly, the control circuit 310 (e.g., the processing device of thecontrol circuit) only needs to use one output pin to enable and disablethe second Hall-effect sensing circuit 318, change the Hall-effectsensing circuits 316, 318 between the low-speed and high-speed modes,and/or enable and disable the boost power supply 328, in anycombination.

When the rotating portion 222 and the actuation portion 224 are notbeing actuated, the control circuit 310 may operate the remote controldevice 300 in the reduced-power mode. In the reduced-power mode, thecontrol circuit 310 may disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit318, put at least the first Hall-effect sensing circuit 316 in thelow-speed mode, and/or disable the boost power supply 328 by driving thereduced power control signal V_(RP) low towards circuit common. Duringthe reduced-power mode, the control circuit 310 may be configured todetect a first new movement (e.g., rotation) of the rotating portion 222in response to the first HES output signal V_(HES1) while the firstHall-effect sensing circuit 316 is in the low-speed mode. Afterdetecting a first new movement of the rotating portion 222, the controlcircuit 310 may drive the reduced power control signal V_(RP) hightowards the supply voltage V_(CC) to enable the second Hall-effectsensing circuit 318 and put both of the first and second Hall-effectsensing circuits 316, 318 in the high-speed mode, such that the controlcircuit 310 is able to determine the angular velocity ω and the angulardirection of the rotating portion 222 in response to the first andsecond HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2). The control circuit 310may also enable the boost power supply 328 by driving the reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP) high towards the supply voltage V_(CC) andilluminate the LEDs 328 while the rotating portion 222 is being rotated.Actuation of the actuation portion may actuate the mechanical tactileswitch 312, which may cause the control circuit 310 to control thereduced power control signal V_(RP) to enable the converter circuit(e.g., a boost power supply 328).

FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure 400that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device(e.g., the control circuit 310 of the remote control device 300 shown inFIG. 5) in order to detect the movement of an actuator (e.g., therotating portion 222). For example, the control circuit may beconfigured to operate in a reduced-power mode when the rotating portion222 is not being rotated. The wake-up procedure 400 may be executedperiodically at 410 in the reduced-power mode. At 412, the controlcircuit may be configured to sample the first HES output signalV_(HES1), which may be generated by the first Hall-effect sensingcircuit 318 while operating in the low-speed mode. As previouslymentioned, the control circuit may be configured to detect rotation ofthe rotating portion by detecting the positive and negative sections272, 274 of the magnetic strip 270 passing the first Hall-effect sensingcircuit 318. The control circuit may be configured to detect a change inthe position of the rotating portion 222 if the sample of the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1) has changed (e.g., from high to low, or viceversa). If the control circuit does not detect a change in the positionof the rotating portion 222 at 414, the wake-up procedure 400 simplyexits. If the control circuit detects a change in the position of therotating portion 222 at 414, the control circuit may drive the reducedpower control signal V_(RP) high to control the remote control device300 to enter the normal mode at 416, illuminate the LEDs 328 at 418, andbegin transmitting wireless signals for controlling the associated loadcontrol devices via the wireless communication circuit 320 at 420,before the wake-up procedure 400 exits.

The control circuit 310 may be configured to turn off the LEDs 328 inresponse to the detection of a persistent actuation of an actuator ofthe remote control device 300, for example, to save battery life.Referring back to FIG. 5, the control circuit 310 may be configured toturn off the LEDs 328 in response to the detection of persistentactuations of the rotating portion 222 and/or the actuation portion 224during a period of time (e.g., a short period of time). For example, thecontrol circuit 310 may be configured to keep track of the amount oftime that the rotating portion 222 has been rotated during a persistentor continuous rotation (e.g., a nearly continuous rotations) and mayturn off the LEDs 328 after a usage timer exceeds a maximum usage periodT_(MAX-USAGE). The maximum usage period T_(MAX-USAGE) may be sized to beslightly longer than a typical rotation of the rotating portion 222 whenthe rotating portion 222 is rotated to adjust the intensity of theassociated load control devices between the minimum intensity and themaximum intensity (e.g., approximately ten seconds). The control circuit310 may be configured to accumulate the time of a continuous rotationsand/or various rotations until the maximum usage period T_(MAX-USAGE) isexceeded. The control circuit 310 may be configured to reset the usagetimer when a timeout timer exceeds a maximum timeout periodT_(MAX-TIMEOUT) (e.g., approximately thirty seconds).

FIG. 8 is a simplified flowchart of an example usage detection procedure500 that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device(e.g., the control circuit 310 of the remote control device 300 shown inFIG. 5). The control circuit may execute the usage detection procedure500 periodically at 510 to detect persistent rotations (e.g., continuousrotations) of the rotating portion 222 and turn off the LEDs 328. Ifrotation is detected at 512, the control circuit may run the usage timerat 514 and reset the timeout timer at step 516. If the usage timer doesnot exceed the maximum usage period T_(MAX-USAGE) at 518, then thecontrol circuit may keep maintain the LEDs in an on state at 520 and theusage detection procedure 500 exits. The control circuit may turn theLEDs on upon detecting rotation, for example, in accordance with anotherprocedure (e.g., a rotation or actuation detection procedure). If theusage timer exceeds the maximum usage period T_(MAX-USAGE) at 518, thecontrol circuit may turn off the LEDs at 522 (e.g., maintain the LEDs inan off state) and the usage detection procedure 500 exits. After theusage detection procedure 500 exits, if rotation is again detected at512 the next time the control circuit executes the usage detectionprocedure 500 (e.g., if a user is persistently rotating the rotatingportion 222), the control circuit will again determine if the usagetimer exceeds the maximum usage period T_(MAX-USAGE) at 518, and if so,the control circuit will ensure the LEDs are off at 522, for example, toconserve battery life.

If rotation of the rotating portion 222 is not detected at 512, thecontrol circuit may stop the usage timer at 524 and run the timeouttimer at 526. If the timeout timer does not exceed the maximum timeoutperiod T_(MAX-TIMEOUT) at 528, the usage detection procedure 500 exits.It should be noted that in such instances, the usage timer is stopped at524, but not reset. As such, if rotation is detected the next time theusage detection procedure 500 is executed, the control circuit will run(e.g., restart) the usage timer at 514, reset the timeout timer at 516,and determine whether the usage timer exceeds the maximum usage periodT_(MAX-USAGE) at 518. If the timeout timer exceeds the maximum timeoutperiod T_(MAX-TIMEOUT) at 528, the control circuit may reset the usagetimer at 530 and reset the timeout timer at 532, before the usagedetection procedure 500 exits. For example, resetting the usage timer at530 may ensure that the usage detection procedure 500 does not instructthe control circuit to turn off the LEDs at 522 during subsequentexecutions of the usage detection procedure 500 (e.g., during instanceswhere the LEDs should, in fact, be kept on, for example, in accordancewith another procedure, such as a rotation or actuation detectionprocedure). Finally, it should be appreciated that the usage detectionprocedure 500 may be configured to detect any number and/or type ofactuations at 512, and is not limited to the detection of rotations of arotating portion 222.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the control circuit 310 may be configured toselectively power circuits and complete power-consuming tasks in orderto reduce the instantaneous power consumed by the battery 324 (e.g., tolimit the peak power). The control circuit 310 may be configured tocontrol one or more circuits and/or perform one or more tasks indifferent segments of time within a repeatable time period. For example,the control circuit 310 may be configured such that the control circuitdoes not illuminate the LEDs 326 at the same time that the controlcircuit is transmitting a digital message via the wireless communicationcircuit 320. Accordingly, the control circuit 310 may be configured tocontrol the wireless communication circuit to transmit the wirelesssignals and to control the at least one of the LEDs 326 to illuminatethe LED in different segments of time within the repeatable time period.The control circuit 310 may be configured to power circuits and/orcomplete power-consuming tasks during other segments of time within therepeatable time period (e.g., in addition to or in lieu of illuminatingthe LEDs 326 and/or transmitting the digital messages). For example,other power-consuming tasks may occur when the analog-to-digitalconverter of the control circuit 310 is sampling input signals and/orwhen the control circuit 310 is writing to the memory 322.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example timing procedure 600 of a controlcircuit of a remote control device, such as the remote control device120 shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2,and/or the remote control device 300 of FIG. 5. The control circuit maybe configured to power circuits and/or complete power-consuming tasksduring different segments of time of a repeatable time period 610. Forexample, the control circuit may wirelessly transmit signals via thecommunication circuit, sample inputs of the analog-to-digital converterof the control circuit, illuminate LEDs, and/or write to memory of thecontrol circuit, during different segments of time of the repeatabletime period 610. The control circuit may perform a plurality of tasksover the repeated total time period 610. The total time period 610 may,for example, include eight time periods as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thecontrol circuit may illuminate a first set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 1-3) in afirst time period, illuminate a second set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 4-6) in asecond time period, illuminate a third set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 7-9) in athird time period, and illuminate a fourth set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs10-12) in a fourth time period. The control circuit may wirelesslytransmit digital messages during the fifth and sixth time periods,sample input signals from the analog-to-digital converter of the controlcircuit during the seventh time period, and write to memory of thecontrol circuit in the eighth time period.

The control circuit may drive the LEDs using pulse width modulation. Assuch, the control circuit may be configured to PWM the LEDs using oneeighth of the total PWM duty cycle (e.g., such that the seven eighths ofthe total time period 610 may be used to drive other sets of LEDs orperform other power-consuming tasks). Accordingly, the control circuitmay limit the peak power usage to reduce the instantaneous powerconsumed by the battery 324 by powering circuits and/or completingpower-consuming tasks during different segments of time of a repeatabletime period 610 (e.g., by interweaving time periods for power-consumingtasks with the time periods when the control circuit drives the LEDs tobe illuminated). Although illustrated as wirelessly transmitting signalsvia the communication circuit, sampling inputs of the analog-to-digitalconverter of the control circuit, driving the LEDs, and/or writing tomemory of the control circuit, the control circuit may be configured toalter which power-consuming task(s) are performed during the differentsegments of time of the repeatable time period 610.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of an example remote controldevice 700 that may be implemented as, for example, the remote controldevice 120 shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device 200 shown in FIG.2, and/or the remote control device 300 shown in FIG. 5. The remotecontrol device 700 may comprise a control circuit 710, which may includeone or more of a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller,a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array(FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or anysuitable processing device. The control circuit 710 may comprise acentral processing unit (CPU) 730 (e.g., a processing circuit), whichmay be configured to execute operating instructions (e.g., software)stored in a memory 732. The memory 732 may be implemented as an internalcircuit of the control circuit 710 as shown in FIG. 10 or an externalintegrated circuit (IC). The control circuit 710 may also comprise atimer 734 that may generate one or more timing signals from an externalcrystal (XTAL) 735.

The control circuit 710 may comprise an internal power supply 736, e.g.,a switching power supply, for generating a regulated DC supply voltageV_(CC) (e.g., approximately 1.8V) for powering the control circuit andother low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device 700. The supplyvoltage V_(CC) may be generated across a capacitor C711 as shown in FIG.10. The internal power supply 736 of the control circuit 710 may receivepower from a battery 724, which may produce a battery voltage V_(BATT).The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be configured to store themagnitude of the regulated supply voltage V_(CC) in the memory 732(e.g., at the time of manufacture of the remote control device 700) foruse when determining the magnitude of the battery voltage V_(BATT)(e.g., as will be described in greater detail below).

The control circuit 710 may be responsive to a tactile switch 712 thatmay be actuated in response to actuations of the actuation portion 224of the control module 220. The tactile switch 712 may generate a togglecontrol signal V_(TOG) that may be representative of instances when theactuation portion 224 of the control module 220 is pushed towards themounting assembly 210, so as to, for example, toggle a controlledelectrical load on and/or off.

The remote control device 700 may further comprise a rotational sensingcircuit 714 including one or more magnetic sensing circuits, e.g., afirst Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit 716 and a second Hall-effectsensing (HES) circuit 718 as shown in FIG. 10. The first and secondHall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 may represent the Hall-effectsensing circuits 280 that each comprise a Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 282 and two magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288. TheHall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 may be configured to detect themagnetic fields generated by a circular magnetic element (e.g., themagnetic ring 270) coupled to a rotary knob (e.g., the rotating portion222 of the control module 220). The first and second Hall-effect sensingcircuits 716, 718 may generate respective first and second HES outputsignals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). Thefirst and second HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) may, incombination, be representative of an angular velocity ω at which therotating portion 222 is rotated and/or an angular direction (e.g.,clockwise or counter-clockwise) in which the rotating portion 222 isrotated. The control circuit 710 may be configured to determine theangular velocity ω and the angular direction of the rotating portion 222in response to the first and second HES output signals V_(HES1),V_(HES2). If the remote control device 700 comprises a single magneticsensing circuit (e.g., just the first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716),the control circuit 710 may be configured to determine the angularvelocity ω of the rotating portion 222 in response to the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1).

Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device 700 couldcomprise a single integrated circuit having two internal Hall-effectsensing circuits. In addition, while the magnetic sensing circuits areshown as the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 inFIG. 10, the magnetic sensing circuits could be implemented as any typeof magnetic sensing circuit, such as, for example, a tunnelingmagnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR)sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, a reed switch, or othermechanical magnetic sensor. Further, while the remote control device 700is illustrated as including magnetic sensing circuits, the remotecontrol device 700 may include non-magnetic sensing circuits, such as acapacitive touch sensing circuit, a resistive touch sensing circuit, anaccelerometer, etc., additionally or alternatively to the magneticsensing circuits. The output signals of the magnetic sensing circuits(e.g., the first and second HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2)) maybe analog or digital signals.

The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 may beconfigured to operate in a high-speed mode during which the Hall-effectsensing circuits are very responsive to changes in the magnetic fieldsgenerated by the magnetic ring 270. When the Hall-effect sensingcircuits 716, 718 are operating in the high-speed mode, the controlcircuit 710 may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω and/orthe angular direction of the rotating portion 222. The first and secondHall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 may also be configured to operatein a low-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits maysample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring 270 at asecond sampling rate that is less than the first sampling rate duringthe high-speed mode, which causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits to beless responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by themagnetic ring 270 and the Hall-effect sensing circuits consume lesspower than in the high-speed mode. During the low-speed mode, thecontrol circuit 710 may, for example, be able to determine whether therotating portion 222 is being rotated.

The remote control device 700 may also include a wireless communicationcircuit 720, for example an RF transmitter coupled to an antenna, fortransmitting wireless signals, such as the RF signals 108, in responseto the CPU 730 receiving the first and second HES output signalsV_(HES1), V_(HES2) (e.g., based on rotations of the rotating portion222) and receiving the toggle control signal V_(TOG) (e.g., based onactuations of the actuation portion 224). The CPU 730 of the controlcircuit 710 may be configured to cause the wireless communicationcircuit 720 to transmit digital messages via one or more wirelesssignals to an associated load control device, for example thecontrollable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1. The CPU 730 of thecontrol circuit 710 may be configured to use the memory 732 for thestorage and/or retrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., aserial number) of the remote control device 700 that may be included inthe transmitted RF signals. In response one or more of the togglecontrol signal V_(TOG) and the first and second HES output signalsV_(HES1), V_(HES2), the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may cause thewireless communication circuit 720 to transmit one or more signals, forexample RF signals 108, to a controllable light source associated withthe rotary remote control device 700, for example the lighting load ofthe controllable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1. The remote controldevice 700 may include one or more visual indicators, for example, oneor more LEDs 726 (e.g., the LEDs 246 of the control module 220 shown inFIG. 4), which are configured to provide feedback to a user of theremote control device 700. For example, the LEDs 726 may be configuredto illuminate the light bar 226. The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710may be operatively coupled to the LEDs 726. The CPU 730 of the controlcircuit 710 may be configured to pulse-width modulate the LEDs 726. Insome examples, the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be configuredto only illuminate a subset of the LEDs (e.g., three LEDs) at a singletime to reduce the peak current conducted through the battery 724. TheCPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may control the LEDs 726 to providefeedback indicating a status of the controllable light source 110, forexample if the controllable light source 110 is on or off, or a presentintensity of the controllable light source 110.

The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be configured to determinethe magnitude of the battery voltage V_(BATT) of the battery 724, whichmay change (e.g., decrease) over time as the battery ages. The CPU 730of the control circuit 710 may be configured to illuminate the LEDs 726in order to provide an indication that the battery 724 is low on energy,to provide feedback during programming or association of the remotecontrol device 700, and/or to provide a night light. The control circuit710 may comprise an internal analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 738 thatis referenced to the battery voltage V_(BATT) (e.g., between thepositive and negative terminals of the battery 724). The CPU 730 of thecontrol circuit 710 may be configured to use the magnitude of theregulated DC supply voltage V_(CC) to estimate the magnitude of thebattery voltage V_(BATT). Specifically, the regulated supply voltageV_(CC) may be provided to an input ADC_(IN) of the ADC 738, for example,as shown in FIG. 10. The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may beconfigured to sample the magnitude of the supply voltage V_(CC) at theinput ADC_(IN) using the ADC 738 to generate a measured voltage value atthe output ADC_(OUT) of the analog-to-digital converter.

Since the ADC 738 is referenced to the battery voltage V_(BATT), themeasurement of the magnitude of the supply voltage V_(CC) (e.g., themeasured voltage at the output ADC_(OUT) of the analog-to-digitalconverter) may be dependent upon the magnitude of the battery voltageV_(BATT), e.g.,

ADC_(OUT)=(V _(ADC-IN) /V _(BATT))·BITS_(ADC),

where V_(ADC-IN) is the measured voltage at the input ADC_(IN) of theADC 738 and BITS_(ADC) is the resolution of the analog-to-digitalconverter (e.g., 8-12 bits). Since the supply voltage V_(CC) is providedto the analog input ADC_(IN) of the ADC 738 and the magnitude of theregulated supply voltage V_(CC) is known (e.g., 1.8 volts), the CPU 730of the control circuit 710 may be able to calculate the magnitude of thebattery voltage V_(BATT) using the output ADC_(OUT), the measuredvoltage V_(ADC-IN), and the resolution BITS_(ADC), e.g.,

V _(BATT)=(V _(ADC-IN)/ADC_(OUT))·BITS_(ADC).

Thus, the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be able to determinethe magnitude of the battery voltage V_(BATT) without the need to scalemagnitude of the battery voltage down to a level that the ADC 738 of thecontrol circuit 710 can sample, for example, using a resistive divider,which would consume additional battery power.

The remote control device 700 may comprise a converter circuit, e.g., aboost power supply 728, which may receive the supply voltage V_(CC) andgenerate a boosted DC voltage V_(BOOST). The boosted DC voltageV_(BOOST) may have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the supplyvoltage V_(CC) for driving the LEDs 726 (e.g., approximately 2.6-2.8volts). The boost power supply 728 may be configured to be enabled anddisabled such that the boost power supply 728 only generates the boostedvoltage V_(BOOST) when the LEDs 726 need to be illuminated (e.g., whenthe rotating portion 222 is being rotated or when the actuation portion224 is actuated). Additionally or alternatively, the converter circuitof the remote control device 700 may comprise an inverter circuit forgenerating a negative DC voltage V_(CC-NEG) (e.g., −1.8 volts) from thesupply voltage V_(CC), and the LEDs may be coupled between the supplyvoltage V_(CC) and the negative DC voltage V_(CC-NEG).

The control circuit 710 may be configured to operate in a normal mode inresponse to rotations of the rotating portion 222 and/or in response toactuations of the actuation portion 224. In the normal mode, the CPU 730of the control circuit 710 may be configured to monitor the Hall-effectsensing circuits 716, 718 to determine the angular velocity ω and/or theangular direction of the rotating portion 222. In the normal mode, theCPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be configured to transmit digitalmessages via the wireless communication circuit 720, enable the boostpower supply 728, and illuminate the LEDs 726 in the normal mode.

The control circuit 710 may be configured to operate in a reduced-powermode (e.g., an idle mode) when the when the rotating portion 222 and theactuation portion 224 are not being actuated. When operating in thereduced-power mode, the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may beconfigured to turn off the LEDs 726, disable the boost power supply 728,change the Hall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 to the low-speed mode,and/or disable one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits, such that theremote control device 700 consumes less power.

In addition, the control circuit 710 may be configured to control thefirst Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 during the reduced-power mode tosample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring 270 at a thirdsampling rate that is between the first sampling rate of the firstHall-effect sensing circuit during the high-speed mode and the secondsampling rate of the first Hall-effect sensing circuit during thelow-speed mode. The control circuit 720 may be configured to generate anenable control signal V_(ENABLE) for selectively enabling and disablingthe first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 during the reduced-power modeas will be described in greater detail below. In the reduced-power mode,the control circuit 710 may be configured to pulse-width modulate theenable control signal V_(ENABLE) to periodically enable and disable thefirst Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 to sample the magnetic fieldsgenerated by the magnetic ring 270 at the third sampling rate. The thirdsampling rate may be adjustable to allow the control circuit 710 toadjust an average power dissipation of the first Hall-effect sensingcircuit 716 during the reduced-power mode. The control circuit 710 maybe configured to adjust a duty cycle of the enable control signalV_(ENABLE) to adjust the third sampling rate. Further, remote controldevice 700 may include other types of sampling circuits that areconfigured with one or more static sampling rates (e.g., such as a touchresponsive circuit), and the control circuit 710 may be configured tocontrol such circuits in a similar manner. In such instances, and forexample, the control circuit 710 may be configured to control suchsensing circuit(s) at a third sampling rate during the reduced-powermode that is between a first sampling rate performed during a high-speedmode and a second sampling rate performed during a low-speed mode.

The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may generate a reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP) for changing between the normal mode and thereduced-power mode. For example, the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710may be configured to enter the normal mode by driving the reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP) high and to enter the reduced-power mode bydriving the reduced power control signal V_(RP) low. The secondHall-effect sensing circuit 718 may be powered by the reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP). The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may beconfigured to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 718 bydriving the reduced power control signal V_(RP) high towards the supplyvoltage V_(CC), and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit bydriving the reduced power control signal V_(RP) low. The reduced powercontrol signal V_(RP) may also be received at enable pins of theHall-effect sensor integrated circuits of one or each of the first andsecond Hall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718. The CPU 730 of the controlcircuit 710 may be configured to change the Hall-effect sensing circuits716, 718 between the low-speed and high-speed modes using the reducedpower control signal V_(RP). The CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 mayalso be configured to enable and disable the boost power supply 728using the reduced power control signal V_(RP). Thus, as in the remotecontrol device 300 shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 730 of the control circuit710 may use a single output pin to enable and disable the secondHall-effect sensing circuit 718, change the Hall-effect sensing circuits716, 718 between the low-speed and high-speed modes, and enable anddisable the boost power supply 728.

When the rotating portion 222 and the actuation portion 224 are notbeing actuated (e.g., when the magnitudes of the first and second HESoutput signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) are in a steady state condition), thecontrol circuit 710 may operate in the reduced-power mode, during whichthe CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may disable the secondHall-effect sensing circuit 718, put the first Hall-effect sensingcircuit 716 in the low-speed mode, and/or disable the boost power supply728 by driving the reduced power control signal V_(RP) low. In addition,the CPU 730 of the control circuit 710 may be configured to enter asleep state during the reduced-power mode.

The control circuit 710 may comprise a wake-up logic circuit 740 fordetecting a first new movement (e.g., rotation) of the rotating portion222 during the reduced-power mode and waking up the CPU 730. The wake-uplogic circuit 740 may generate a wake-up signal V_(WAKE-UP) for wakingup the CPU 730. The wake-up logic circuit 740 may be configured togenerate the enable control signal V_(ENABLE) for selectively enablingand disabling the first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 (e.g., bydriving the enable control signal high and low, respectively). As shownin FIG. 10, the first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 may be powered bythe enable control signal V_(ENABLE) (e.g., through a pin of the controlcircuit 710). In the reduced-power mode, the wake-up logic circuit 740may be configured to pulse-width modulate the enable control signalV_(ENABLE) to periodically enable and disable the first Hall-effectsensing circuit 716 (e.g., to cycle power to the first Hall-effectsensing circuit). As previously mentioned, the CPU 730 may be configuredto adjust the duty cycle of the enable control signal V_(ENABLE) (e.g.,at the third sampling rate) to adjust an average power dissipation ofthe first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 during the reduced-power mode.

When the enable control signal V_(ENABLE) is driven high to enable thefirst Hall-effect sensing circuit 716, the first HES output signalV_(HES1) may be in an invalid state for a predetermined amount of timeT_(INVALID) until the wake-up logic circuit 740 may sample the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1) to determine if the rotating portion 222 hasmoved since the last time that the first HES output signal V_(HES1) wassampled. For example, a previous state of the first HES output signalV_(HES1) (e.g., high or low representing either one of the positive andnegative sections 272, 274 of the magnetic ring 270, respectively) maybe stored in the memory 732. After driving the enable control signalV_(ENABLE) high, the wake-up logic circuit 740 may wait for thepredetermined amount of time T_(INVALID) before opening a samplingwindow to sample the first HES output signal V_(HES1). The wake-up logiccircuit 740 may compare the sampled value of the first HES output signalV_(HES1) (e.g., high or low) to the previous state of the first HESoutput signal V_(HES1) as stored in the memory 732. If the sampled valueof the first HES output signal V_(HES1) is different than the previousstate of the first HES output signal V_(HES1), the wake-up logic circuit740 may wake up the CPU 730 by driving the wake-up signal V_(WAKE-UP)high.

Any combination of the CPU 730, the memory 732, the timer 734, the powersupply 736, the ADC 738, and the wake-up logic circuit 740 may beimplemented as part of a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, thewake-up logic circuit 740 may be a separate circuit external to theintegrated circuit of the CPU 730. For example, the wake-up logiccircuit 740 could be made up of one or more discrete logic integratedcircuits external to the integrated circuit of the CPU 730.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of an example wake-up logiccircuit 800, which may be implemented as the wake-up logic circuit 740of the control circuit 710 of the remote control device 700 shown inFIG. 10. FIG. 12 shows example waveforms illustrating the operation ofthe wake-up enable circuit 800. The wake-up logic circuit 800 mayreceive first and second timer signals from a timer (e.g., the timer 734of the control circuit 710). The first timer signal V_(TIMER1) may beprovided at a first output of the wake-up logic circuit 800, e.g., asthe enable control signal V_(ENABLE) that is provided to the firstHall-effect sensing circuit 716. During the reduced-power mode, thefirst timer signal V_(TIMER1) may be a pulse-width modulated signal forperiodically enabling and disabling the first Hall-effect sensingcircuit 716. For example, the first timer signal V_(TIMER1) may becharacterized by a period T_(T1) of approximately 10 milliseconds and anon-time T_(ON1) of approximately 100 microseconds during thereduced-power mode.

The second timer signal V_(TIMER2) may be used to determine when thewake-up logic circuit 740 is responsive to the first HES output signalV_(HES1). During the reduced-power mode, the second timer signalV_(TIMER2) may be a pulse-width modulated signal characterized by aperiod T_(T2) of approximately 10 milliseconds and an on-time T_(ON1) ofapproximately 10 microseconds during the reduced-power mode. The on-timeT_(ON2) of the second timer signal V_(TIMER2) may be shorter than theon-time T_(ON1) of the first timer signal V_(TIMER1). The second timersignal V_(TIMER2) may be synchronized to the first timer signalV_(TIMER1), such that the pulses of the on-times T_(ON2) of the secondtimer signal fall within the on-times Tom of the first timer signal. Theon-time T_(ON2) of the second timer signal V_(TIMER2) may occur afterthe period of time that the first HES output signal V_(HES1) may be inthe invalid state after the beginning of the on-time T_(ON1) of thefirst timer signal V_(TIMER1). For example, there may be a delay fromwhen the first timer signal V_(TIMER1) is driven high to when the secondtimer signal V_(TIMER2) is driven high of approximately thepredetermined amount of time T_(INVALID) for which the first HES outputsignal V_(HES1) may be in the invalid state as shown in FIG. 12.

The first and second timer signals V_(TIMER1), V_(TIMER2) may bereceived by an AND logic gate 810. The AND logic gate 810 may generate afirst intermediate signal V_(INT1), which may be driven high when bothof the first and second timer signals V_(TIMER1), V_(TIMER2) are high. Apresent sampled state S_(PRES) of the first HES output signal V_(HES1)and a previous sampled state S_(PREV) of the first HES output signalV_(HES1) (e.g., as stored in the memory 732) are received by an XORlogic gate 812. The XOR logic gate 812 may generate a secondintermediate signal V_(INT2), which may be driven high when the presentsampled state S_(PRES) and the previous sampled state S_(PREV) aredifferent. The first and second intermediate signals V_(INT1), V_(INT2)may be received by an AND logic gate 814. The AND logic gate 814 maygenerate a wake-up signal V_(WAKE-UP), which may be driven high whenboth of the first and second timer signals are high and the presentsampled state S_(PRES) and the previous sampled state S_(PREV) aredifferent. The wake-up signal V_(WAKE-UP) may be received by the CPU 730for causing the CPU to change from a sleep state to an active state.

After waking up, the CPU 730 may cause the wake-up logic circuit 740 todrive the enable control signal V_(ENABLE) high (e.g., by stoppingpulse-width modulating the enable control signal V_(ENABLE)) tocontinuously power the first Hall-effect sensing circuit 716 in thenormal mode. The CPU 730 may drive the reduced power control signalV_(RP) high to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 718, afterwhich both of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 716, 718 may begin togenerate the first and second HES output signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2)(e.g., as shown in FIGS. 12). After a period of inactivity of therotating portion 222 and/or the actuation portion 224, the controlcircuit 710 may be configured to enter the sleep state. Before enteringthe sleep state, the control circuit 710 may be configured to configurethe timer 734 to generate the first and second timer signals V_(TIMER1),V_(TIMER2) and configure the wake-up logic circuit 740 (e.g., the logicgate circuitry) to generate the wake-up signal.

FIG. 13 is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure 900that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device(e.g., the control circuit 710 of the remote control device 700 shown inFIG. 10) in order to detect a user input, such as movement, of anactuator (e.g., the rotating portion 222). For example, the controlcircuit may be configured to operate in a reduced-power mode when therotating portion 222 is not being rotated. The wake-up procedure 900 maybe executed at 910 when a wake-up signal V_(WAKE-UP) is driven high(e.g., by a wake-up logic circuit, such as the wake-up logic circuit 800shown in FIG. 11). At 912, the control circuit may cause the wake-uplogic circuit to stop pulse-width modulating an enable control signalV_(ENABLE) to cause a first Hall-effect sensing circuit (e.g., the firstHall-effect sensing circuit 716) to be continuously powered. At 914, thecontrol circuit may drive a reduced power control signal V_(RP) high toenter the normal mode. The control circuit may then illuminate LEDs(e.g., the LEDs 328) at 916 and begin transmitting wireless signals forcontrolling associated load control devices (e.g., via the wirelesscommunication circuit 320) at 918, before the wake-up procedure 900exits.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device configured to be mounted over aninstalled light switch, the light switch comprising a toggle actuatorthat extends through a faceplate of the light switch, the toggleactuator configured to control whether power is delivered to anelectrical load, the control device comprising: a base portionconfigured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of the light switch; arotating portion that is rotatable with respect to the base portion; oneor more magnetic elements connected to the rotating portion andconfigured to generate magnetic fields; first and second magneticsensing circuits configured to generate respective first and secondsensor control signals in response to the magnetic fields generated bythe one or more magnetic elements; a processing circuit configured todisable the second magnetic sensing circuit and enter a sleep state whenthe rotating portion is not being rotated; and a wake-up logic circuitconfigured to: generate and pulse-width modulate an enable controlsignal when the processing circuit is in the sleep state to periodicallyenable and disable the first magnetic sensing circuit; receive the firstsensor control signal from the first magnetic sensing circuit; determinethat a magnitude of the first sensor control signal has changed; andupon determining that the magnitude of the first sensor control signalhas changed, generate a wake-up signal for causing the processingcircuit to change from the sleep state to an active state.
 2. Thecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the wake-up logic circuit isconfigured to determine if the magnitude of the first sensor controlsignal has changed by comparing a present magnitude of the first sensorcontrol signal to a previous magnitude of the first sensor controlsignal.
 3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the wake-up logiccircuit is configured to wait for a predetermined amount of time afterenabling the first magnetic sensing circuit before determining if themagnitude of the first sensor control signal has changed.
 4. The controldevice of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is configured toenable the second magnetic sensing circuit as a result of waking up inresponse to the wake-up logic circuit.
 5. The control device of claim 1,wherein the first magnetic sensing circuit is powered by the enablecontrol signal.
 6. The control device of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuit and the wake-up logic circuit are part of a single integratedcircuit.
 7. The control device of claim 1, wherein the wake-up logiccircuit comprises one or more discrete logic integrated circuitsexternal to the processing circuit.
 8. The control device of claim 1,further comprising: a battery configured to generate a battery voltagefor powering the first and second magnetic sensing circuits and theprocessing circuit.
 9. The control device of claim 8, wherein theprocessing circuit comprises a power supply configured to receive thebattery voltage and generate a regulated supply voltage.
 10. The controldevice of claim 9, further comprising: at least one visual indicator;wherein the processing circuit is configured to illuminate the visualindicator to provide feedback while the processing device is operatingin the active state.
 11. The control device of claim 10, furthercomprising: a converter circuit configured to receive the supply voltageand to generate a boosted voltage for powering the visual indicator, theboosted voltage having a magnitude greater than the supply voltage. 12.The control device of claim 11, wherein the processing circuit isconfigured to control the first magnetic sensing circuit to a low-speedmode during the sleep state, and control the first magnetic sensingcircuit to a high-speed mode during the active state.
 13. The controldevice of claim 8, further comprising: a wireless communication circuitconfigured to transmit wireless signals; wherein the processing circuitis configured to transmit the wireless signals via the wirelesscommunication circuit and illuminate the visual indicator in response toa rotation of the rotatable portion
 14. The control device of claim 13,further comprising: at least one visual indicator; wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to illuminate the visual indicator toprovide feedback while the processing device is operating in the activestate.
 15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the control circuitconfigured to detect an occurrence of persistent actuation of theactuation portion after a maximum usage period of the persistentactuation of the actuation portion, and to continue transmitting thewireless signals but stop illuminating the visual indicator in responsedetecting the persistent actuation of the actuation portion.
 16. Thecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnetic elementscomprises a magnetic ring coupled to an inner surface of the rotatableportion, the magnetic ring comprising alternating positive and negativesections configured to generate magnetic field.
 17. The control deviceof claim 1, wherein the one or more magnetic elements comprises aplurality of magnetic elements of alternating position and negativecharge arranged on an inner surface of the rotatable portion.
 18. Thecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic sensing circuitcomprises a first Hall-effect sensing circuit, and the second magneticsensing circuit comprises a second Hall-effect sensing circuit.
 19. Thecontrol device of claim 18, wherein the control device comprises anintegrated circuit including the first and second Hall-effect sensorcircuits.
 20. The control device of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuit is configured to determine an angular speed or an angulardirection of the rotatable portion in response to the first and secondsensor control signals.
 21. A method of detecting rotation of a rotatingportion of a control device, the method comprising: receiving first andsecond sensor control signals from respective first and second magneticsensing circuits, the first and second sensor control signals generatedin response to magnetic fields produced by one or more magnetic elementsconnected to the rotating portion; disabling the second magnetic sensingcircuit when operating in a sleep state; generating and pulse-widthmodulating an enable control signal when operating in the sleep state toperiodically enable and disable the first magnetic sensing circuit;determining that a magnitude of the first sensor control signal haschanged; and operating in an active state upon determining that themagnitude of the first sensor control signal has changed.
 22. The methodof claim 21, further comprising: generating a wake-up signal based onthe determination that the magnitude of the first sensor control signalhas changed, wherein the wake-up signal causes the control device tooperate in the active state.
 23. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising: comparing a present magnitude of the first sensor controlsignal to a previous magnitude of the first sensor control signal todetermine whether the magnitude of the first sensor control signal haschanged.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: waiting for apredetermined amount of time after enabling the first magnetic sensingcircuit before determining if the magnitude of the first sensor controlsignal has changed.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising:enabling the second magnetic sensing circuit as a result of changingfrom the sleep state to the active state.
 26. The method of claim 21,wherein the first magnetic sensing circuit is powered by the enablecontrol signal.